Friday’s Featured Food: Pique A Lo Macho, Potosi, Bolivia

Today we’re back in Bolivia with their superb dish known as “Pique a lo macho”. I had never heard of it until I stepped foot in Bolivia. But having had it a few times in the country I loved it, recommend it and have to say that Bolivians can cook!! Even if their poor economy sadly deprives them of the cashflow to savour the finest steaks on earth. None of that will ever bother you as you fall in love with Bolivia’s endless charms. They make up for their lack of resources and riches with Pique a Lo Macho, a local dish. I’ll talk about the one I had in Potosi, which also happens to be the world’s highest city.

Santa Clara restaurant in Potosi, Bolivia where I first tried Pique a lo macho.

I headed to a restaurant called Santa Clara in Potosi to try it. I had a local guide with me called Zelinda – I had just completed the excellent mining tour and the tour guide finished work early so she agreed to take me round the city. I knew I had to try the Pique a Lo Macho. You don’t go to Bolivia and ask for beans on toast.

The menu in Santa Clara, Potosi, Bolivia.

The menu was exactly what I wanted to see. I opted for the special Pique Macho Santa Clara which was 29 Bolivianas. I needed a drink with it, and as this was a lunchtime meal and had more sightseeing ahead I opted for a non alcoholic one. Total bill was around $5 US Dollars, which I know is not cheap for Bolivian standards, but hold on this was GOOD food.

If you want to ask about altitude sickness and me, then I will talk about it some other time. I spent (wasted?) a full day in La Paz trying to shake it off as well as waking up with a migraine in the deserts of Uyuni. I’m normally fairly immune to these things, but never forget that health is actually the number one thing in your life. Travel, and trying pique a lo macho in the highest city in the world can take second place.

What’s in Bolivian Pique a lo macho?

slices of steak

sliced hot dogs

chips

salt

oil

sliced boiled eggs

onions

green and red peppers/locotos peppers (spicy ones)

tomatoes

That’s pretty much it. It’s memorable – you will devour it and you will more than likely finish your meal. I tried the same meal again a few days later while on a tour of the Salar De Uyuni and I admit that the Bolivians have a real consistency. It tasted just the same and just as good. I’d recommend it. You can get it just about anywhere in Bolivia. The spicy one is nicer, and also helps kill any germs. I’ll talk about my spicy Bolivian curry and my “Toby” as some other point…

Enjoying the mining tour in Potosi – the world”s highest city!

Here’s a video of me in the city centre of Potosi, Bolivia:

Friday’s Featured Food is an ongoing regular feature on Don’t Stop Living – a lifestyle of travel. If you have a meal, bar, pub, restaurant, brand or idea that you would like reviewed or featured on Friday’s Featured Food, please get in touch via my contacts page or my advertising page. I’d love to hear from you! I’d also love a free pint and a meal, or a coconut juice, or even lunch in Bolivia. Cheers!

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You’ll be fine – you will love Bolivia, it’s head and shoulders above most of South America in terms of real travel experience. No office blocks or brand names here – it’s a proper country! For the altitude sickness just make sure you drink LOADS of Coca tea, and chew Coca Leaves, even if it makes you high. Safe travels, Jonny

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Jonny Blair is a travel writer, teacher and barman. Jonny lives in Poland and is recovering from mental health problems caused by liars. Jonny still wants to travel and inspire others but be careful who you trust.Jonny was recently in Gdańsk, POLANDHe last backpacked in Kaliningrad City, KALININGRADNow Jonny Blair lives in Gdańsk, POLAND
Number of continents visited: 7
Number of countries visited: 165 (including disputed countries)
Number of cities/towns visited: 1153 NOT OUT!
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